I do feel it was a classy move but at the same time, imagine that player who thought he was going up last and then boom, some kid who can't ever play gets picked, that must suck for that dude, though he may never make the NHL anyways.

That dude, if he feels confident in his abilities, can now work harder and if/when he makes a splash in the hockey community, can determine his future (like say, Fabian Brunnström) because, unlike the drafted prospect, nobody holds his rights.

The draft doesn't guarantee a NHL career. Your talent, development and attitude does. All the draft does is secure your rights to a team. Which, when you think about it, sucks for players outside the first few rounds.